Honoring Benjamin

My plan for this week’s blog post was to recap BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock’s appearance at last Wednesday’s Bowl Insider Reception. In addition to linking a transcript from his question and answer section, I wanted to include stories from the post-event dinner Bill enjoyed with Valero Alamo Bowl staff and our Executive Committee.

Bill’s current role with the BCS along with 11 years at the Big Eight Conference, 33 Final Fours and 9 Olympic games provided plenty of fodder for an entertaining conversation that made the two hour dinner fly by.

However, five days later the only thing I can remember is the discussion we had about everyone’s favorite book. The talk centered on the classics before turning to a book Bill wrote titled “Riding with the Blue Moth.”

After the death of his oldest son Will in a 2001 plane crash involving 10 Oklahoma State basketball players and staff, Bill left his position as the director of the NCCA Men’s Final Four. His book detailed the difficulty getting on with his life while dealing with the grief that led him on a 2,700+ mile cross-country bike ride.

The person most interested in Bill’s book was Bowl Chairman (and Spurs team physician) Dr. David Schmidt. Leaving the Alamodome the next day after the bowl’s monthly Board meeting, Dr. Schmidt received some heart-wrenching news. Two Marines had arrived to alert the family of his only son’s passing, 24 year old Lance Cpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt.

Upon hearing the horrible news, recollections of an elementary school aged Benjamin running around the Alamodome pregame during Spurs home games and then playing in the kid’s room flashed in my head.

As the emails went back and forth between Dr. Schmidt’s friends, some remembered him excelling as defensive back for Alamo Heights High School while one board member said she sat next to Benjamin at last year’s Rose Bowl featuring TCU. She came away impressed: “He was articulate, smart, charming and a young man I would be proud to have as my son. He talked about his service and I remember his pride as he described it. It is a huge loss. Not only to his family but to all the country.”

When Benjamin left for his second and last deployment as a Marine sniper, he and his family knew this assignment was dangerous and went so far as to discuss where he would want to be buried. In a Facebook post on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, Benjamin wrote, “I guess you can use today as a reason for us to be here in Afghanistan. Just know I’m fighting for myself, but most of all for all my friends and family who read this. Everyone, it’s an honor to be your ambassador.”

Reading this status update along with comments below the San Antonio Express-News story about the tragedy gave me chills. They paint a portrait of a generous young man who was a leader that loved his family, friends and country. One of the most poignant comments recalled Ronald Reagan saying “Many people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they made a difference to the world, Marines don’t have that problem.”

At last Wednesday’s dinner, the self-effacing Dr. Schmidt introduced himself to Bill Hancock as “this year’s bowl chairman because after 19 years they could not find anyone else to do it.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Few people care about, and have done more for, sports in San Antonio than Dr. Schmidt. Additionally he is a top surgeon and a world class father.

Now sadly Dr. Schmidt and Bill have something else in common besides a love for sport. Bill was one of the first people I emailed after I learned about Benjamin’s death and the first to offer support.

Doc, I’m not sure what to say other than you are in our prayers. We are here for your family and want to appropriately honor Benjamin along with the other fallen servicemen and women.